Support for collapsible tubes

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a support for collapsible tubes, such as those containing tooth paste and the like plastic materials, which comprises flanges for attaching the device to a wall or other surface; the horizontally disposed flange having therein at least one transverse recess for removably receiving each a T-shaped clamp member; the latter having a pair of depending, resiliently inwardly biased limbs with opposing terminal portions, preferably in the form of claws, between which the crimped-over neck portion of a collapsible tube can be held, namely between the turned-over tube end and its central portion; the terminal portions being so formed that they allow the tube neck to be inserted between the limbs in an inwardly axial direction, against the biasing force of the limbs, then to be held suspended in an inverted position without danger of being accidentally released in the opposite axial direction, but permitting the tube to be manually removed by a lateral sliding movement from between the limbs. The clamp member is preferably yoke-shaped and has a plate portion integrally formed with the limbs which extend symmetrically from the plate portion; and it is preferably an injection-molded plastic member, such as a polyacetate resin.

United States Patent 1 Burkart Jan. 28, 1975 SUPPORT FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES [76] inventor: Werner Burkart. Arsendlstrasse, 55, Kriens. Switzerland [22] Filed: May 1. 1974 [2]] Appl. No.: 466,088

[52] US. Cl. 222/105 [51} Int. Cl. 865d 35/56 [58] Field of Search 222/105, 103; 248/359,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,656,069 lO/l953 Fogarty et al 222/l03 Primary ExaminerStanley H. Tollberg Assistant ExaminerNorman L. Stack, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmTab T. Thein [57] ABSTRACT Disclosed is a support for collapsible tubes, such as those containing tooth paste and the like plastic materials, which comprises flanges for attaching the device to a wall or other surface; the horizontally disposed flange having therein at least one transverse recess for removably receiving each a T-shaped clamp member; the latter having a pair of depending. resiliently inwardly biased limbs with opposing terminal portions. preferably in the form of claws, between which the crimped-over neck portion of a collapsible tube can be held, namely between the turned-over tube end and its central portion; the terminal portions being so formed that they allow the tube neck to be inserted between the limbs in an inwardly axial direction. against the biasing force of the limbs, then to be held suspended in an inverted position without danger of being accidentally released in the opposite axial direction, but permitting the tube to be manually removed by a lateral sliding movement from between the limbs. The clamp member is preferably yoke-shaped and has a plate portion integrally formed with the limbs which extend symmetrically from the plate portion; and it is preferably an injection-molded plastic member, such 1 as a polyacetate resin.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIED JAN 2 8 1975 saw 1 or 2 1 SUPPORT FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES The invention relates to supports for collapsible tubes, and particularly to a support of this kind having at least one clamp member into which a collapsible tube can be inserted, the clamp member being slidable into a recess of a flange-shaped attaching means which may be comb-shaped if several clamp members and tubes are to be held therein.

In households, studios and workshops it is often necessary to keep collapsible tubes of different sizes in readiness, in an easily accessible, orderly manner. Comb-shamed supports are known for this purpose which can receive various tubes. The supports mainly consist of an elongated metallic or plastic strip bent at right angles so as to include two flange portions. One of the flange portions has several suspending apertures or slits while the other has therein recesses of differing widths which extend to a portion of the flange width and run perpendicular to the lengthwise edge of that flange portion. The collapsible tubes can be inserted in the recesses, with their screw caps pointing upwards, suspended in an upright position on the thread necks, so that they rest on the protruding screw cap edges. Evidently tubes suspended in recesses that are too wide are liable to be inadvertently released so that they drop.

For several decades, hangers, holders and supports of this kind became known which attempted to overcome the disadvantages of the above-described earlier supports. Some of them used the inverted suspending solution, with the crimped-over tube neck portions held between inwardly directed jaws of plate members, or in slot-like mouth portions of intermediary support members. Owing to inherent detail features, these supports did not prove to be useful and havenot been commercially used. Only few of the known support structures allowed individual handling of each tube once it was suspended; some allowed the contents to be dispensed without removing the tube itself.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support for collapsible tubes of varying dimensions and structures, regardless of their closure systems, neck or thread dimensions.

It is also an object of the invention to provide convenient space conditions in the region where the collapsible tubes are grasped and manipulated before and during use, the tubes being preferably stored in a position allowing their contents to settle by gravity in the proximity of the openings or caps. For these latter considerations, preference will be given to the inventive support structure wherein the collapsible tubes are held suspended in an inverted position.

In accordance with important features of the invention. one or more collapsible tubes can be securely held in the inventive support by the intermediary of a substantially T-shaped clamp member having a pair of resiliently inwardly biased limbs with opposing terminal portions, preferably with inwardly directed claws, which allow the crimped-over neck portion of each tube to be inserted between the limbs in an inwardly axial direction, against the biasing force of the limbs, then to be held suspended in the inverted position without danger of being accidentally released in the opposite axial direction, but permitting the tubes to be manually removed by a lateral sliding movement from between the limbs.

According to another feature of the invention. attaching means are provided, e.g., with vertical and horizontal flanges, the latter having therein a transverse recess for removably receiving each clamp member.

Other, less important features of the invention will be explained as the description proceeds. It should however be noted that the clamp member of the invention is preferably yoke-shaped and has a plate portion integrally formed with the limbs which extend symmetrically from the plate portion. The clamp members are preferably injection-molded from suitable plastic materials which provide the necessary inherent resilience to the limbs. As a matter of example, polyacetate resins are recommended to be used for the inventive clamp members.

Other objects, features and many of the attendant ad-' vantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic side view of an attaching flange structure for the collapsible-tube support according to the invention, with a portion of a tube being shown suspended therein in an inverted position;

FIG. 2 is a top elevation of the flange structure of FIG. 1, with three recesses, and one inventive clamp member inserted, with a tube disposed therein;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the inventive support, showing the flange structure in a modified form, the clamp member with its detail features, and portions of the collapsible tube in two operational positions relative to the clamp member (below it, before insertion, and sideways, after removal);

FIG. 4 is the flange structure of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a frontal perspective view, with a supporting opening and two recesses for clamp members; and

FIG. 5 is a partly sectional view, taken along the line 5 5 of FIG. 3, across the clamp member and portions of the flange into which it can be slidingly inserted, and a portion of the supported collapsible tube.

An attaching structure for the inventive support for collapsible tubes is shown .in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the form of a comb-shaped structure of two flanges 2, 2' at right angles to each other, e.g., made of enameled metal, plastics and the like. The exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 has an upwardly bent flange 2' which may have therein an opening 4 for suspending the support from a wall and the like surface.

Alternatively a downwardly directed flange 2" can be used as illustrated in the modification on the lefthand side of the exploded view of FIG. 3, with holes 4 therein through which screws or other attaching elements can be passed to the wall surface.

Perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the flange 2, one or more recesses 6 are provided for purposes to be explained hereafter. At least one of the recesses 6 has at least one outwardly tapering edge or corner portion 6' to facilitate the use of the support. Another optional feature is constituted by a reinforced lengthwise edge portion 8 in the flange 2 (shown only in FIGS. 1 and 2), similarly for operative convenience, as will be explained later.

Each recess 6 in the attaching flange 2 can slidably receive a clamp member 10 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and, in an enlarged form, in the sectional view of FIG. 5. The tapering edge portions 6' facilitate the insertion of the clamp members while the reinforced edge portions 8 prevent inadvertent outward sliding movement thereof from the respective recesses 6.

Each clamp member has a plate portion with protruding ends 12a, 12b and a pair of depending, resiliently inwardly biased limbs 14a, 14b with opposing terminal portions 16a, 16b between which the crimpedover neck portion 52 of a collapsible tube 50 can be held, namely between the partly turned-over tube end and the central tube portion.

The enlarged view of FIG. 5 shows that each clamp member 10 is preferably yoke-shaped and is integrally formed with the ends 12a, 12b and the limbs 14a, 14b, which latter extend symmetrically from the plate portion.

The clamp members #10 are preferably made from synthetic resins or plastics, such as by injection molding, which provides inherent and lasting resilience for the limbs. Polyacetate resins have been found to be most suitable for this purpose.

The terminal portions 16a, 16b of the clamp members 10 are preferably claw-shaped, as shown in FIG. 5, with outwardly tapering, preferably rounded faces on the claws, and at least partly planar inner holding portions having a direction substantially transversal to the axis of the limbs 14a, 14b.

The described structural parts and features constitute operating means on the terminal portions of the clamp members, allowing the tube necks 52 to be inserted between the limbs l4a, 14b in an upwardly direction, as shown by the central arrows in FIG. 3, against the biasing force of the limbs, then the tubes 50 to be held suspended in the inverted position, without danger of being accidentally released in the downward direction, but permitting the tubes to be manually removed by a lateral sliding movement from between the limbs, as shown by the second set of arrows in FIG. 3.

It has been found that certain synthetic resins, such as the abovementioned polyacetate resins, do not show fatigue effects with time, so that the limbs 14a, 14b will maintain their inwardly biased yet elastic arrangement for'years without becoming spread-apart in use.

Although a double crimping has been shown for the tube ends 52 in FIGS. 3 and 5, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the elasticity of the limbs can be made large and strong enough so as to securely clamp single crimps, glued, welded or soldered ends of other collapsible tubes, that are of course thinner but still provide enough added thickness above the planar jaw portions to be held therein without danger of being released or dropped.

It might be repeated at this point that in use, the inventive support provides three basic movements when handling the collapsible tubes, during their storage, use of the contents, and eventual removal. First, insertion of a fresh tube into its clamp member is by upward movement, as shown in the central portion of FIG. 3. Second, when the tube is being used, other than by simply unscrewing the cap while the tube is suspended in the support and discharging its contents, it can be removed temporarily from the support by lateral movement, together with the clamp member. Eventually, as a third operatiave movement, when the tube is depleted, it can be removed sideways from its clamp member, as shown in the right-hand portion of FIG. 3, the clamp being prevented from outward movement by the reinforced lengthwise edge portion 8 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), although it can also be manually retained. A fresh tube can then be inserted into the empty clamp from below.

It might be added that the inventive support is adapted to be used with collapsible tubes'of all kinds, such as those made of metal (like aluminum or tin). or of plastics (for example polyolefins or polyvinyl chloride).

lt should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates only vto a preferred embodiment of the invention, and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example described which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A support for collapsible tubes, containing tooth paste and the like plastic materials, comprising, in combination: means for attaching the support to a wall or other surface; said means having therein at least one transverse recess for removably receiving each a substantially T-shaped clamp member; the latter having a pair of depending, resiliently inwardly biased limbs with opposing terminal portions between which the crimped-over neck portion of a collapsible tube can be held, between the at least partly turned-over tube end and its central portion; and operating means on said terminal portions, allowing the tube neck to be inserted between said limbs in an inwardly. axial direction, against the biasing force of said limbs, then to be held suspended in an inverted position without danger of being accidentally released in the opposite axial direction, but permitting the tube to be manually removed by a lateral sliding movement from between said limbs.

2. The support as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one recess in said attaching means has at least one outwardly tapering edge portion to facilitate the insertion of said clamp member.

3. The support as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching means has a reinforced lengthwise edge portion for preventing inadvertent outward sliding movement of said clamp member from its recess.

4. The support as defined in claim 1, wherein said terminal portions include inwardly directed claws, and said operating means is constituted by outwardly tapering faces of said claws and at least partly planar holding portions inwardly of said faces, said planar portions having a direction substantially transversal to the axial direction.

5. The support as defined in claim 4, wherein said tapering faces of the claws are rounded.

6. The support as defined in claim 1, wherein said clamp member is yoke-shaped and has a plate portion integrally formed with said limbs which extend symmetrically from said plate portion.

7. The support as defined in claim 6, wherein said clampymember is an injection-molded plastic member providing inherent resilience for said limbs.

8. The support as defined in claim 7, wherein said plastic member is a polyacetate resin.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 5,862,706 Dated January 28, 1975 Invent Werner Burkart It is certified that error appears in-the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Supplement the heading of the issued patent as follows:

[50] FOREIGN APPLICATION PRIORITY DATA May 2, 1975 Switzerland 6197/75 and sealed this 15th day of .X ril P775.

/' L J .ittG-Si'i:

fi wr xy v -r r \\*r Us -I'I-\.IJJN-" .4 .ui'u'z- -LJTI: =3. III-A o}? Commissioner 0:" Patents and Trademarks -rttestin uficer USCOMM-DC 60376-P89 FORM PO-1050 (10-69) 1: us. sovzmmsm PRINTING OFFICE was o-ass-au 

1. A support for collapsible tubes, containing tooth paste and the like plastic materials, comprising, in combination: means for attaching the support to a wall or other surface; said means having therein at least one transverse recess for removably receiving each a substantially T-shaped clamp member; the latter having a pair of depending, resiliently inwardly biased limbs with opposing terminal portions between which the crimped-over neck portion of a collapsible tube can be held, between the at least partly turned-over tube end and its central portion; and operating means on said terminal portions, allowing the tube neck to be inserted between said limbs in an inwardly axial direction, against the biasing force of said limbs, then to be held suspended in an inverted position without danger of being accidentally released in the opposite axial direction, but permitting the tube to be manually removed by a lateral sliding movement from between said limbs.
 2. The support as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one recess in said attaching means has at least one outwardly tapering edge portion to facilitate the insertion of said clamp member.
 3. The support as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching means has a reinforced lengthwise edge portion for preventing inadvertent outward sliding movement of said clamp member from its recess.
 4. The support as defined in claim 1, wherein said terminal portions include inwardly directed claws, and said operating means is constituted by outwardly tapering faces of said claws and at least partly planar holding portions inwardly of said faces, said planar portions having a direction substantially transversal to the axial direction.
 5. The support as defined in claim 4, wherein said tapering faces of the claws are rounded.
 6. The support as defined in claim 1, wherein said clamp member is yoke-shaped and has a plate portion integrally formed with said limbs which extend symmetrically from said plate portion.
 7. The support as defined in claim 6, wherein said clamp member is an injection-molded plastic member providing inherent resilience for said limbs.
 8. The support as defined in claim 7, wherein said plastic member is a polyacetate resin. 